Hel(l)vetia Challenge a huge success

Friday 13 July 2018

The second Credit Suisse Hel(l)vetia Challenge, which is a triathlon-inspired event to raise funds for charities has been a huge success.

The event organised by Paul Annegarn, CEO and Guernsey Branch Manager at Credit Suisse, saw teams from businesses around the island compete running, swimming and cycling around a course laid out at Havelet.

Credit Suisse put the event together last year as a means of raising money for their chosen charity of the year. This year they aimed to raise funds for Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association, but opened the event up to the business community, which saw 35 different teams getting involved and raising money for their own charities. 

Speaking during the event, Mr Annegarn said: "We will be raising £25,000 this year for our chosen charity and we expect a large amount to come from the Credit Suisse team from this event."

One of the huge appeals of the event this year is the ability for competitors to cycle up the Val De Terres without other vehicles as the organisation committee and Traffic had agreed for it to be closed to traffic for the duration of the afternoon and early evening event.

"There are many people on the island who have driven up and down the Val De Terres but never cycled it, thanks to the highways department many people will get a chance to do this as we have it closed."

Mr Annegarn explained the course: "There are three different events just like in a triathlon, however each discipline can be done by a different team member. The swim is from Castle Cornet to the shore at the south esplanade, the cycle is up and down the Val De Terres and the run is to the Aquarium and off to Castle Cornet."

"I have a very strong view that working together on these events creates stronger teams so it is good for my business and also when you raise money for charity, yes the charity is enriched, but I also believe the giver is enriched in the process of giving. We hope to do this again next year and make it an annual event. As the day goes on more and more things will be happening and we have the symphony orchestra playing this evening to really make the atmosphere."

Pictured: Helene Vermeulen and Paul Annegarn

Helene Vermeulen, Business Development and Marketing at Babbe said: "Babbe are the main sponsor of the challenge and are delighted to also be participating at this event with our team. It is wonderful to be part of this event and everyone has been training and its a fantastic achievement for all the competitors. The conditions are perfect with sunshine and blue skies but a little breeze."

One of the competitors taking part was Guernsey's very own sea donkey, Adrian Sarchet. Express caught up with him after his second swim across the bay.

"Its a great community challenge and it is a wonderful thing that Credit Suisse do to put on this event and it is great chance to get together, have fun and raise money. I cannot run for toffee so I will be remaining in the water, actually the hardest thing for me is running to the check point, I have made it out the water on the first two swims but the run up the beach is killing me!"

"We have a Carey Olsen team taking part, I am doing the swimming, Tony Lane is doing the cycling and David Crosland is doing the running and swimming."

Pictured: Adrian Sarchet after one of his swims

The organisers hope that collectively the event will raise £50,000 for various charities. 

One of the teams taking part were from BWCI and they said they were all enjoying the event and meeting people from other businesses and the joint support in the community for fund raising.

Pictured: BWCI team

Pictured main image: Swimmers arriving at Havelet Bay